Job Description
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The Rockefeller Foundation is seeking a Summer Associate for the Innovative Finance Team. The Innovative Finance Team is the Foundation’s impact investment arm, using investments and grants to mobilize private capital towards innovative, scalable, market-driven solutions that address the world’s toughest challenges, with a focus on climate.
We value our Summer Associates and want to invest in and mentor future leaders who will grow personally and professionally and create an impact in the philanthropic sector. As a Summer Associate at The Rockefeller Foundation, you will have the chance to contribute to our initiatives through engaging, meaningful work assignments.
Program Details Summer Associate, Innovative Finance
This position is open to graduate students only.
A cover letter is required.
The 2025 summer program will run for 11 weeks from June – August 2025.
This position will be based in New York City with either a hybrid or Summer fully remote schedule. Students engaged in fully remote work must be based in the United States.
Pay Range: $30 – $35 hourly rate. This represents the present low and high end of the Foundation’s pay range for this position. Summer Actual pay will vary based on various factors, including but not limited to experience. This is a non-exempt position and thus eligible for overtime pay.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Assist with the vetting, due diligence, and execution of new climate-focused investment opportunities, Summer which include:
Conducting due diligence on potential investment opportunities across asset classes.
Building financial models to determine the value and optimal capital structure under various financing and operating scenarios.
Performing impact analyses and building impact frameworks to tell the impact story and effectively monitor performance.
Preparing materials for investment committee review and approval processes.
Assisting in structuring and negotiating the financial and legal terms of new investments.
Conduct research on emerging themes in climate finance to help inform the team’s investment strategy, which includes:
Framing and structuring research looking into one or more emerging climate finance themes, e.g., carbon removal technologies, frontier market climate landscaping, etc.
Conducting primary and secondary research to inform the research and point of view
Presenting findings to the senior team to inform the team’s climate strategy.
Monitor existing investments, which include:
Analyzing and tracking the receipt of periodic performance, financial and social reporting, and payments from portfolio companies.
Formatting and synthesizing financial information and other data received for internal reporting to the investment committee.
Prepare communications materials for the portfolio, including regular financial and impact performance reporting.
Education, Experience, and Skills
Currently enrolled in a graduate program in one of the following areas: business, economics, public policy, government, international development, or a related field.
Capacity for Investment and Financial Analysis: Due diligence experience and facility with multiple financial areas, including financial modeling, structuring, investment, and risk analysis and accounting. Good understanding of (and/or interest in) development, international finance, and macroeconomics. Prior work experience in buy- or sell-side finance preferred.
Communication: Excellent interpersonal abilities; good listening skills; strong writing and verbal skills; assertiveness in communicating ideas.
Decision-Making: Ability to evaluate risks and opportunities; uses analytical and problem-solving skills; takes initiative and drives for results; able to prioritize; proactive self-starter.
Execution: Strong project management skills; meets deadlines; a sense of urgency and responsibility; ability to multi-task and work under pressure; thorough.
Interest or experience working in the nonprofit sector and a strong interest in impact investing, particularly in the area of climate.
Must be authorized to work in the United States.
Committed to the mission of the Foundation.
Qualifications and Competencies
Bias for Action: Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
Communicates Effectively: Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
Decision Quality: Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
Plans and Aligns: Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
Values Differences: Recognizes the value of different perspectives and commits to inclusion, equity, and diversity in every aspect of work.
About The Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable Summer individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at http://rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn.
As an organization, we focus on six values to advance our culture and continue our success. We are dedicated to being Transparent, Optimistic, Accountable, Collaborative, Summer Trusted, and Equitable. We operate from a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in everything that we do. It is not only the right thing to do – we could not make an impact without our team members’ diverse perspectives and experiences. We expect all employees at the Foundation to contribute by developing their unique perspectives and talent, challenging conventional wisdom through evidence and reason, and amplifying marginalized voices.
The Rockefeller Foundation is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and compliance with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment Summer discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To this end, the Foundation ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, lawful alien status, physical, mental, and medical disability, veteran status, liability for service in the United States Armed Forces, or any other protected status.
The Rockefeller Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.